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The State of Hawaii has new rules for food establishments that may bring big changes for local restaurants and groceries.

“It’s kind of a big deal,” said Department of Health (DOH) Inspector Cathleen Sakamoto, of Molokai. “Chapter 50 is very different from Chapter 12 [previous law]. The whole point is to lessen food-spread illness.”

Sakamoto held two workshops on the new Chapter 50 regulations last week to educate business owners and pass out information on the changes.

While the new law has been years in the making, she said, Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed it into law in February. As soon as Sakamoto has notified all food establishments on Molokai of the new regulations, inspections will begin, she said.…

The Molokai Lions Club third annual Walk for Sight on Molokai will take place on Saturday, Sept. 27, Saturday, from 7:30 to 10 a.m. Registration is in front of Kalele Bookstore. Club members urge the community to join them in their multiple treks through Kaunakakai raising money for continued sight programs on Molokai.

All money raised in this event remains on Molokai. The sight programs include offering help to anyone who is underserved in their need for sight or hearing assistance, vision screening for elementary and preschool children, and the retina vision van project of detection for adults.…

Molokai-based psychologist Dr. Stephanie Napoli has recently opened a new location. Dr. Napoli has had the privilege of serving our community for the past three years. Now, she offers her therapy services in Office 2 at Home Pumehana, 290 Kolapa Place, Kaunakakai.

Psychotherapy is available for children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Dr. Napoli has specialized training in therapy for trauma survivors and in suicide prevention. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Her practice is named `Imi Ola, which means “seek life.” Come seek your best life in therapy with Dr.…

It usually signals unfortunate circumstances when Hawaii Life Flight (HLF) — an air ambulance service — arrives, but last week it was a celebration. The company has been offering emergency air medical transport on Molokai since 2006, and this year, made the island one of its bases. That means faster service for Molokai residents in need – and a better chance to save more lives, according to HLF staff.

“For all time-sensitive patients, like stroke, cardiac and trauma, every second counts… It can be life or death,” said flight nurse and Molokai base manager Josh Schroeder.

With the nearest bases on Oahu and Maui, the response time for HLF crew to arrive on Molokai for a call used to be between 45 minutes and an hour and a half, said Schroeder.…

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) has supported the fight against muscle disease for more than 60 years through a yearly fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. On Molokai, local firefighters will be participating in the annual event, called Fill the Boot, on Saturday, Aug. 30 at Rawlins’ Chevron from 9 a.m. to noon. They’ll be collecting contributions from drivers and passersby.

As the lights at Kaunakakai Ball Park shut off and darkness fell across the field, the grounds were illuminated by a huge-circle of candle-lit luminaria lanterns at Molokai’s eighth annual Relay for Life. Each lantern bag was decorated with names and pictures in memory or honor of a friend or loved one who has been affected by cancer. Family and friends surrounded the decorated bags that lined the track, many wiping away tears and holding on to loved ones, as the names of everyone listed on the luminaria scrolled on the screen during the ceremony.

“[The luminaria] represents the light we carry within ourselves for our loved ones that have been affected by cancer,” said board member U`ilani Lima.…

Do you have a plan for your future? Or even a daily plan of what you need to do? Did you know that if you have a plan you a much more likely to reach your goals, and to achieve your goals much easier too?

Whatever you want to do, the first step is to make your plan. Then you need to stick to it.

Take your time to make your exercise or nutrition plan. Make sure that you make goals that you can achieve short term — this will make it much more realistic. If you need help then ask an expert, or just search the Internet.…

Did you know that medications are the top cause of poisoning in kids? Together, we can help change that. To get started, here are a few answers to some questions parents commonly ask about medication safety for kids.

Where should I store medications? People may call it the “medicine cabinet,” but it’s not a good place to store medications. Bathrooms are moist and can lower the strength of a medication. Plus, they’re a little too easy for little hands to get into.Instead, keep drugs, eye drops and vitamins out of sight and reach of children in a high place, like a closet or kitchen shelf.…

The health of your mouth may mirror your overall health. What’s the link? Good dental care helps prevent a buildup of bacteria and inflammation from gum disease. And that may help protect other parts of your body. Researchers need to conduct more studies to confirm the possible links, but evidence is growing.

Research suggests that heart disease and stroke may be linked to bacteria in your mouth. For example, a recent worldwide trial of nearly 16,000 people showed a strong link between oral health and heart health risk factors in people with chronic heart disease.…

This past school year as a Food Corp service member at Sust`ainable Molokai, I visited weekly with Kumu Teddy Sotello’s second grade class at Maunaloa Elementary. On a typical class day, I led students outside to their small, designer 4-by-4-foot “tea garden” bed—constructed at the beginning of the year—where we’d harvest a couple of pieces of mint and lemongrass. I collected the harvest, poured over hot water, and we’d wait for tea to brew.

While waiting, we learned songs courtesy of the Banana Slug String Band. The classes’ favorite song was “Dirt Made My Lunch,” which highlights the path from soil to plate — fitting to sing while the tea brewed.…